Module 2: Who Is the Seeker?

9/10/2017

Welcome back!

Our next module focuses on the seeker. Who are the seekers you will be talking with? Who are they on the inside? What do they want from spiritual guidance? Why did they come in the first place?

All of these questions tie in to a much bigger spiritual guidance question: How do we make meaning of our lives?

Download and print out the Module 2 requirements here:

http://www.awakenedliving.com/SGTI/module2.pdf

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We hope you will check in once each week to let us know how you are doing and to connect with your classmates.

Let the conversation begin! We welcome your thoughts and look forward to chatting it up with you!

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16 Comments

Jan

9/10/2017 10:17:10 pm

We look forward to our conversation with you about Module 2. Enjoy the journey!

Rebecca

9/17/2017 01:26:52 pm

1.
In no particular order, here are some of the things that seemingly stuck out to me, thus far, in this week's readings/listening options:

- In the interview with Emily Estahani Smith, The Pursuit of Meaning was particularly enjoyable. First, her overall concept of meaning rather than happiness. I resonate with this, as I have questioned the sustainability of happiness (not to be confused with joy or deep rooted peace). Searching for meaning provides, in my opinion, a greater, deeper, and more attainable process than happiness. A search for meaning embodies looking beyond oneself while simultaneously looking deeper inside oneself; while happiness is often dependent, seemingly on events and environmental impacts. I appreciated her clarification and her ability to share a deeper understanding.

- I also appreciated the article by Christina Feldman. Her inclusion of Thich Nhat Hahn and the integration of compassion and anger was really insightful and helpful for me. I think this article helps identify the power of anger-to move systematic injustices. The author alludes to the fact that when there is great anger at injustices, of any kind, there is a choice; to move towards abandonment or to commit to helping others-whatever this may look like. This article also delicately reveals the simultaneous action of compassion towards oneself and others.

2. I don't know much about my seekers, and if I am transparent, I am seeking them out, rather than they are seeking out guiding services. However, that being said, I do think that they are seeking safe places to reflect and have conversation about divinity, life, and their own worldview.

9/17/2017 01:59:12 pm

As an addendum, I am reflecting on the interview with Rabbi Howard and I am struck by the importance of having a spiritual practice before guiding others. I am concerned by my own lack of consistency in this area, as well as a desire to know more and not wanting practices that are a mile wide and and inch deep. I think it's easy to be impatient as I determine and deepen my own practices.

Jeanette

9/18/2017 08:58:14 am

Thank you for these comments, Becky! Regarding your comment about seeking seekers, it is absolutely okay for you to do that. This is what all emerging spiritual guides do as they go through training (and even beyond training). You have a new role and you get to invite others in relationship to you as a guide.
During my training, young adults would ask me to mentor them, and I would say, "I could mentor you, yes, but I am also in training to become a spiritual guide. Could we meet within that construct?" They usually didn't know what that meant, so I explained it. And, then, if I was wanting to find more seekers, I approached a few individuals with whom I had had a trusting relationship and asked them if they would want to meet. I would tell them that I was in training, and they loved that!

9/18/2017 06:15:17 pm

I appreciate this addendum. Howard really pressed this point with us and I completely agree. If we are not real and avid and passionate practitioners, how can we hope anyone else will be? Your transparency about lack of consistency is good. Thank you. I bet each of us can relate! A deepening practice (rather than wide) helps us to put down roots; to listen more deeply, both to ourselves and others. This is very simply how spiritual practices work. They change the brain to be more alert and aware, clear, and open ... And our "practice' is our life line, if you will, to the truest parts of ourselves and to the Divine as we understand it. So if any of us fail to develop some type of contemplative practice we are only cheating ourselves of a grand experience and the most meaningful connection of all.

A few years ago I went on a silent retreat. One of the monastics who gave the talk during our evening period of meditation said we could think of our practice like this. "All day long you are receiving from God (or your word for the Sacred here). We are given the most beautiful planet on which to live, food, relationships, etc. We are continually being given gifts. What do we give in return? Your meditation practice can be YOUR gift back to God." This teaching touched something very deep in me. And it motivated me to make a deeper commitment about my little-corner-of-the-world practice. :-)

Peter

9/20/2017 04:57:09 pm

My thoughts/reaction to Janet Ruffing's video on SDI:
I felt this was a basic video that describes SG. It was clear to me that she sees SG as a means to connect with only those who believe in God.

Although I appreciated some aspects of the video, it left me with the impression that SD does not include those individuals that are non-Christian or atheists.

I must admit that it was a bit disappointing that there is no mention of other segments of the spiritual population that may benefit from SG. If I were to surf into this video as a

9/20/2017 05:02:45 pm

Sorry...it was accidentally submitted before I finished.
As I was saying:
If I were to surf into this video as a non-Christian or atheist, I would think that I am not a candidate for SD/SG. It does surprise me that SDI posted this narrow view of what SD is.

Thank you for asking us to watch this as it helps me to understand more fully that there is a much broader scope of SG to include SBNRs, Nones, Spiritual Independents, etc. and that there exists SDs that may only work with those "like" themselves.
Peace!

9/21/2017 10:03:16 pm

Peter, I appreciate your thoughts here. Very perceptive. And exactly the reason that we must ensure our language around spiritual guidance is completely inclusive. We would not want anyone to feel excluded! Even the use of the word "God" will not work for some. We must continue to dedicate ourselves to finding language that as many people as possible can relate to .... so that when we say, "All are welcome here," we really mean it.

This video, by the way, is one of the older (more traditional) videos housed by SDI. As I am learning SDI is in the midst of a sea change; extraordinary efforts being made by their new executive direction and other staff member to use interspiritual language, ensuring that the organization (and training and support) keep pace with the changing religious landscape. Hopeful!

Jeffrey Phillips

9/22/2017 05:12:30 pm

Sorry for getting to the RQs late this module; these two weeks have flown by!

1. Addison (Show Me Your Way). ch. 5. "If not for Buddhism I would never have understood the deeper mystical teachings of Christianity" (quote from Ruumet, p. 87). This describes precisely for me the importance of the interfaith/interspiritual path. In fact, I could have said the very same ting about how Buddhism has made me a better Christian. I also like the Addison's practical explanations of the benefits and drawbacks of interfaith spiritual guidance. I also appreciate his autobiographical comments on pp. 90-92, as well as his questions on p. 106. Addison's warnings about boundaries (pp. 95-101) are critical for the ethical practice of this craft so that no one is harmed. I also like the comments he made about this in the audio. I taught professional boundaries to UCC clergy for ten years. I also developed the 2-day curriculum we used. I think we need to spend more time on this in our SGTI program! Ch. 6. His section on "The Covenant Process" is, again, very practical and helpful.

Teasdale. ch 3. I very much appreciate knowing about the philosophical foundations of Hinduism. My experience of Hinduism is more "on the ground" (in the mandirs and with everyday believers) than with the ideological foundations. I googled "Vedanta Society" and found similar information. The information about Buddhism and Christianity was less new to me, but nice to see in one place. Teasdale's use of the term "consciousness" for what this is all about is all about, yet I find myself rather lost in the weeds of his descriptions and examples. I'd like more teaching, discussion, or resources about this. (Maybe I just need to read it again!) ch. 4. "The mystic does not turn away from the world... in order to escape its reality and demands. Rather, the mystic leaves the world to better understand it." (p. 82). Right on, Brother Wayne! The wisdom provided by perspective is vital for effective action! I like his definition and appropriation of "panentheism" (p.83), which I always mis-define. I'm glad he also addresses the potential of abuse by spiritual leaders (p. 89), but, again, more attention is needed here. Those of us in church life and ordained ministry have learned in the last 20+ years that this is a topic not to be touched on briefly, but explored thoroughly. Asramas and Margas (pp.91-94) very helpful and clear. Love the Zen Oxherding (pp.97-99)! I don't think the Buddhist self/no self paradox is as easily resolved as Teasdale suggests. As a paradox it is, by nature, unresolvable but somehow true. That's why it's beautiful.

Feldman. "The power of nonseparation." That says it all, doesn't it? It leads to compassion, exemplified by Guanyin and his willow branch. The enemy of compassion is "attachment to result." Amen! "Self-compassion" (Jan): if we cannot embrace our own frailties and imperfections, how can we make room in our heart for anyone else? Compassion starts at home, with the self. Yes!

McLeod. One of the best things we can do for others is be happy and whole ourselves. Yes! This reminds me of the "self-care" we teach in clergy boundary training. "People are happier in a society where everyone is cared for." Go, democratic socialism! "In our heart of hearts we all long to do and be good." "Good is good for everyone. There is no difference between love for ourselves and love for others. There is just love, and it is limitless" Many self-sacrificing, sad martyr-me Christians need to read this!

Ruffing. Seekers must be "psychologically developed enough" (self-aware enough) to notice what's going on so they can talk about it. I loved her description of what most Christians understand prayer to be ("little chats with God"), but she's right that this simplistic understanding does open people to the possibility of deeper connection with God.

Shapiro/Esfahani. This was a rich conversation with many take-a-ways about meaning and religion - and meaning without religion. I like her precise and research-based enumerating of the meaning of "meaning" and the four "pillars of meaning." Her distinction between "happiness" and "flourishing," as she clarifies Aristotle, is wonderful, as is her discussion of "belonging" and Shapiro's understanding of the Muslim phrase, "There is no God but God," as he learned its interpretation from the Sufis.

Addison (interview). I like his likening of spiritual guides to Methodist preachers on horseback meeting people where they were. His advice to develop a personal practice and cultivate the art of "holy listening" is wise. He makes a good suggestion to use the language of invitation with seekers. I put this to good use just yesterday.

Sorry for writing so much, but there was a lot to read this module!

9/23/2017 08:44:20 am

Jeffrey, I (personally) greatly appreciated how you took the time to reflect on these important elements because it helps me better understand where you actually "are" inside of yourself when it comes to these important concepts and issues. Your thoughtful and precise responses could have actually served as your RE this week as they were so well put together. I agree with so much of what you said and take to heart your suggestions about the areas of learning we need to emphasize in SG training. We will, I assure you! And I know that Jeanette and I will likely call upon you to share what you know and developed about ethics for clergy. Wonderful! I also appreciated in your sharing here how you sough to mine nuggets of meaning from each contributor in this module. We do carefully select what goes into each module for a specific perceptual or skill-building purpose. It seems you are picking up on this. :-) Thank you!

9/22/2017 05:55:42 pm

RQ 2. I think our seekers will be all kinds of people with all kinds of needs and desires and backgrounds (and expectations for receiving spiritual guidance). That means they are both not like us AND like us. We all have questions and desires. They (we) desire meaning, belonging, true human friendship, and connection with something bigger. We want vulnerability - ultimate giving and receiving. "Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee" (Augustine). Human beings, I believe, are incurably religious (or "spiritual"), and will always seek the deeper, more profound beauty and joy that beats at the center of the universe. And they (we) will have all kinds of different ways of expressing this longing - some articulate and some casual, some informed (and misinformed) by religious tradition(s), others informed by daily life and popular culture, and some not very informed at all!

RQ 3. Honestly, not a lot of people have sought me out concerning "big questions." But when this has happened, it's mostly been in social settings when people learn that I'm a minister, and feel compelled to offer cliche statements such as, "I'm spiritual, but not religious" and "Oh, I believe in Jesus and God" and "Aren't we all going to the same place, just by different paths?" and "Isn't the important thing that we love each other?" These common cocktail party comments would be great starting points for deeper conversations if a. we weren't at a cocktail party, and b. I didn't have the impression that they are made by people who want to quickly summarize their entire approach to spiritual matters in a simple phrase so they can quickly get off this uncomfortable topic and move on to other, more interesting ones. Cynical me! Still, I believe that many, many people do want to go deeper and can benefit from it. We can give them the chance to do so with skills to meet the challenge.

9/23/2017 08:46:32 am

Very insightful, Jeffrey, about who the seeker is. I am glad to know you open to the may ways you might enter into meaningful conversation with others. And you never know, cocktail parties may serve as seed planting opportunities ... Just being real and open allows others to do the same.

9/23/2017 08:52:34 am

Hello All,
I simply wanted to post here how touched I was personally by our conversation with Rabbi Addison. He is a deeply genuine, warm, open and compassionate individual; very little ego, a true servant. I took to heart his emphasis on spiritual self-care. Each of us can tend to get so busy learning/teaching, interacting with others, etc. that we talk more "about" spiritual practices than actually doing them. This is one of the reasons that I do try to honor a 24 hr. period of Sabbath each week. I highly recommend it. To stay off computer and technology, rest, read, pray, meditate, walk. LISTEN. I met with my own spiritual director this week and one of the things she reflected back to me was my personal emphasis on listening, and how nourished I am by it and the QUIET. I do need a lot more quiet than others. Perhaps it is because I am listening to others for a good amount of time each day. To sit in Sabbath quiet is pure gift, though it is one as a SG which I know I must prioritize if I am to serve others in any beneficial way. With this last comment, I am off to begin my 24 hr. Sabbath day. Om Shanti! Peace. Shalom, friends.

(As of this sharing, I will also share [I don't think she'll mind that I do], Jeanette is taking a full day of silence. Excellent choice!)

Barbara

9/23/2017 12:34:46 pm

Just want to say hello. These two weeks at flying by for me toand hopefully I will have some comments by the end of the day tomorrow mostly my time is been taken up with surgery and recovering from surgery. I am doing extremely well but my brain is not at 100%. Thank you for your prayers and good wishes

9/24/2017 08:34:52 am

Hello Barbara,
Good to hear from you! Thanks for checking in and many blessings for ongoing healing! May you be patient and compassionate with yourself as your mental clarity returns. :-)

9/24/2017 11:55:33 pm

I am so appreciative of the comments you all have made on this module, and I can relate to many of them. I am curious to discover more about holy listening within myself. A work in progress.

I expect to be far more participatory in commenting on Module 3! with much gratitude for the healing powers of body and spirit!

Module 2: Who Is the Seeker?

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